Integrated platform for critical infrastructure analysis and common operating picture solutions

In this paper, we present a software framework for modeling, simulation, and analysis of critical infrastructure (CI). Our concept fuses together a state-of-the-art telecommunications and electricity distribution system simulator (CI simulator), and a Common Operating Picture visualization system (COP system). The development process included expert interviews, which were conducted to define a comprehensive set of end-user requirements from different critical infrastructure stakeholders benefitting from a common situational picture. Using the obtained results, we enhanced the CI simulator to model more precisely interdependencies in communication and electricity distribution networks in normal and abnormal situations. In addition, the simulator was extended with near future prediction capabilities using the current situation and networks’ operating conditions. The simulator also provides a real-time data stream to the COP system, whose core analysis and visualization functions were specified according to the end-user requirements collected from the interviews.